Love and Forgiveness in Governance: Exemplars: Professor Bella Abzug

by Ernest Ogbozor

Bella Savitsky Abzug, nicknamed "Battling Bella"[1], was a lawyer, former congresswoman, feminist, activist and politician. In the US Congress, she was known for her unshakable convictions as an anti-war activist and as an advocate for social and economic justice. She said, "if we get a government that reflects more of what this country is really about, we can turn the century — and the economy — around."[2] Ms. Abzug helped to start the nationwide women's strike in response to U.S. and Soviet nuclear testing, and also campaigned against the Vietnam War. According to Esther Newberg, Ms. Abzug "was first on almost everything...that ever mattered."[3]

At the age of 13, Ms. Abzug was refused the right to say the Mourner's Kaddish for her father in synagogue when he died, because the privilege was reserved for sons of the deceased, but her father did not have a son.[4] This experience was her motivation for taking up a career as a lawyer to advocate for gender equality and other social vices. She said that "the days women were trained to speak softly and carry a lipstick are over"[5], and advocated for abortion rights, day care, and laws against employment discrimination.

Ms. Abzug was a leader of a coalition of nongovernmental organizations that helped to organize the Beijing conference in China in 1995.[6] Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush said during the Beijing conference that he "[felt] somewhat sorry for the Chinese, having Bella Abzug running around." Ms. Abzug was often described as "one who has always represented the extremes of the women's movement."[7] She was always on the forefront of burning issues. On the controversial abortion law, Ms. Abzug said that, "abortion doesn't belong in the political arena. It's a private right, like many other rights concerning the family."[8]

Ms. Abzug died after her public speech before the United Nations in 1998. During her lifetime, she demonstrated immense love and passion for women, advocating for gender equality and the elimination of social vices. The Bella Abzug Leadership Institute (BALI) was founded by Liz Abzug, daughter of the former congresswoman, in honor of her mother. The Institute utilizes the signature leadership skills of the late congresswoman to mentor and train high school and college-age women in the development of confidence and skills needed to become effective, dynamic and visionary leaders.[9]

 

[1] "Battling Bella | Founding, Enduring Feminist Bella Abzug Is Dead at 77 'Battling Bella' Served Three Terms in House - Baltimore Sun," accessed February 7, 2013, http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1998-04-01/news/1998091029_1_bella-abzug-feminist-woman-in-congress.

[2] "Bella Abzug Quotes," accessed February 7, 2013, http://womenshistory.about.com/cs/quotes/a/qu_bella_abzug.htm.

[3] "Bella Abzug, 77, Congresswoman And a Founding Feminist, Is Dead," accessed May 29, 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/0724.html.

[4] "Bella Abzug - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia," accessed February 7, 2013, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bella_Abzug#Early_life.

[5] Women and the Law: Leaders, Cases, and Documents - Ashlyn K. Kuersten -Google Books," accessed February 7, 2013.

[6] "Bella Abzug, 77, Congresswoman And a Founding Feminist, Is Dead," accessed February 7, 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/0724.html.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ibid.

[9] "Bella Abzug Leadership Institute | Welcome," accessed February 7, 2013, http://www.abzuginstitute.org/.